Acupuncture is a system of medical treatment in which long, thin needles are inserted through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain, such as that associated with rheumatism, or for anesthetic purposes. It is a type of complementary and alternative medicine originally developed in ancient China, the mechanism of which is not yet understood in western medical terms. A person trained in acupuncture is called an acupuncturist.

 

An acupuncture needle is a stainless steel needle that is slightly thicker than a human hair. Acupuncture needles are inserted through the skin at specific points on the body to control pain and other symptoms.

 

An acupuncture point, also called an acupoint, is a specific spot on the body where an acupuncture needle may be inserted to control pain and other symptoms. An acupuncture point injection is a procedure in which drugs, vitamins, herbal extracts, or other fluids are injected into the body at an acupuncture point using a syringe and needle.